Governor's Executive Order Extends School Closures

Dear D49 Families and Staff,

D49 and the Pikes Peak Area Superintendents Support Governor’s Order to Extend School Closures.

To help mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Colorado, on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis ordered that all public and private schools across the state suspend in-person learning from March 23 to April 17.

The executive order directs Colorado school districts and the Charter School Institute to make every effort to provide alternative learning opportunities during this time while taking into account the needs of local communities. This order also directs the Commissioner of Education to issue guidance to support P-12 school systems in developing and implementing plans to assist families and students in accessing alternative learning, providing free and reduced lunch and breakfast, and offering waivers for instructional time as appropriate.

School districts in the Pikes Peak Region had already decided to close school buildings through March 27. This order will extend that timeframe. At this time, and per this order, students will return to school on Monday, April 20.

Leaders from local districts will meet Thursday, March 19 and in the coming days and will provide more specific information as we move forward.

Educators and leadership in the Pikes Peak Region have already started working on how to provide educational resources for students and families, and school districts are planning for how to ensure that students can continue to receive breakfast and lunch while schools are closed.

Pikes Peak Area Superintendents emphasize that this is a new reality for all and it will require all of us working together in support of children in the Pikes Peak Region. We know that this information brings both certainty and uncertainty for the weeks ahead. We’d ask that we allow each other a measure of grace, as we develop plans for what school looks like in the weeks ahead. Now, more than ever, we must work together for the benefit of our children and our community.

We thank you for your trust and understanding as we navigate this new reality.